60 Million Indian Creek Home Sets New Miamidade High

By Marilyn Bowden Sumptuous residences set in some of Miami-Dade’s most sought-after locations are raising the bar for luxury living.

At $60 million, a 10-bedroom estate at 3 Indian Creek Drive sports the highest asking price yet for a home in Miami-Dade, says Jill Eber, a broker-associate at Coldwell Banker and partner with Jill Hertzberg in the luxury real estate team known as The Jills.

"If you’re looking for the best, this is it," Ms. Eber said. "There’s nothing like it. It’s a work of art."

Designed by Modernist architect Rene Gonzalez, the 30,000-square-foot house sits on two acres by the bay on Indian Creek Island, home to just 32 estate homes. It’s entirely new construction.

"The vision of the developers was to bring the outside in," Ms. Eber said. "The whole house can be opened up to the outdoors, and you feel at one with nature. It conveys the sense of a private resort."

"Indian Creek has it own police force patrolling the streets and waterways, so the security is great," Ms. Eber said. "The island has an 18-hole golf course and private club.

"We’ve had people from all over the world looking at it. We’ve also shown it to people in the US who have shown a great deal of interest."

On Star Island, another of Miami-Dade’s exclusive enclaves, international developer Thomas Kramer’s former home is on the market for $49.995 million.

The nine-bedroom, 12-bath home, at 5 Star Island Drive, is "the best party house in the best party city," said Zachary Finn, principal of Finn Real Estate Enterprises, who is marketing it.

The two-story, 11,980-square-foot house, built in 1996, is one of the few properties on the island built on a double lot, he says. "Those very rarely come on the market."

With a garage space for 10 cars plus a guest parking area, hot tubs, cabanas that include bathrooms and kitchenettes a wine cellar and full separate staff quarters, Mr. Finn says, "it’s very well set up for entertaining."

South American buyers — especially Brazilians and Venezuelans — express a lot of interest in South Florida’s luxury properties, he said, as do those from the Middle East.

"We do some direct print marketing in Europe," Mr. Finn said, "but nearly all of our business comes from online."

For those who prefer the luxury condominium lifestyle, Canyon Ranch Living at Miami Beach, 6800 Collins Ave., still has units available, says Michael Sadov, real estate sales director. Canyon Ranch Living is an extension of the Canyon Ranch Spa and Wellness concept; essentially, it offers buyers the opportunity to own a home in a spa resort.

"What makes these units very luxurious is what the property has to offer," Mr. Sadov said. "It’s a real lifestyle choice. Residents can take part in more than 40 daily mind-body classes, massages and other treatment at the 70,000-square-foot spa and wellness facility."

Prices in the North Tower range from $400,000 to more than $3 million for a two-story, 3,555-square-foot townhouse residence, he said.

The Canyon Ranch brand is known throughout the world Mr. Sadov said, and has a large following from the Northeast, from whence he estimated about 80% of buyers come.

"The balance is more of a global market," he said, "from Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Canada."To read the entire issue of Miami Today online, subscribe to e -Miami Today, an exact digital replica of the printed edition.